Colin Farrell 'I Just Think He's Magic'

THE STAR OPENS UP FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT LIFE WITH HIS SON JAMES, WHO HAS ANGELMAN SYNDROME AND WHY HE'S STARTING A FOUNDATION TO ENSURE OTHER ADULT CHILDREN WITH SIMILAR DISABILITIES NEVER FEEL ALONE

- JULIE JORDAN

Colin Farrell’s house is filled with a bustle and din that’s far from the actor’s comfort zone. As photography and video teams scurry about the hillside home in L.A., Farrell, 48, is keeping tabs on his son James, 20, who has Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder. Nonverbal, James is sitting in the backyard playing catch with his live-in caregiver. He makes eye contact with a journalist standing nearby and immediately throws the miniature basketball in her direction to include her in his game. James’s eyes light up when he spots Farrell, but it’s nothing in comparison with the noticeable swell in his dad’s chest when those around them respond so sweetly to his son. “I want the world to be kind to James,” the actor explains. “I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect.”

And that, ultimately, is the driving force behind Farrell’s decision to open up his home and talk in-depth about his life with his son for the first time. Turning 21 in September, James (whom Farrell shares with an ex, model Kim Bordenave) will age out of many of the support systems provided for families with kids who have special needs. “Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own,” Farrell says. “All the safeguards that are put in place, special ed classes, that all goes away, so you’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and more often than not is left behind.” Farrell is the first to admit that his family has an advantage over most. “I obviously have a certain amount of means, having had a career in film for 20-plus years now,” he allows. “But we are the exception, not the norm.”